Coming off a disappointing season in 2022, the Sailors had plans to rewrite the script this year. Senior Jackson Belsan, the returning quarterback, said, “People were counting us out, and I used that as motivation all season long.”
Belsan led the Sailors to a 9-4 record and a trip to Gillette, where Scituate played in the Super Bowl against their rivals–Duxbury High School. Unfortunately, Scituate lost in an offensive battle by a score of 62-33.
Following the season, Belsan was selected as an Honorable Mention to the Boston Herald All-Scholastic Football Team. All year long Belsan was breaking records and putting up numbers for the team. To end the year, he finished with 2,765 total yards and 30 total touchdowns, breaking the single-season record for most passing touchdowns in Scituate High School history. When asked about his record-breaking season, Belsan responded, “I really wasn’t focused on the records–we had a rough start to the season, and I just wanted to help make our team as good as we could be and get us back in the win column.”
Belsan was not the only source for the Sailors’ offense; he had senior captain Colton Downing down in the trenches blocking for him throughout the season. Switching positions on the offensive line multiple times–a real Swiss army knife in versatility–Downing eventually landed at right guard. Also selected as an Honorable Mention to the Boston Herald All-Scholastic Football Team, Downing remarked, “Making the team really wasn’t my focus going into the season. I wanted to go back to Gillette and win another Super Bowl. We had a great season and made it back to Gillette but couldn’t get the win. I really appreciate the Honorable Mention and I am very proud of what our team was able to accomplish this year.”
SHS junior Lawson Foley was also selected as a member of the Boston Herald All-Scholastic Football Team. Foley was instrumental in the Sailors’ success this season, playing well on both sides of the ball. Foley commented, “I appreciate being selected as a member of the All-Scholastic Football team. It took a lot of hard work, and I am proud of my teammates for being named honorable mentions.”
Foley finished his junior year strong on offense with 867 yards, 48 receptions, and 11 touchdowns. On the defensive end, Foley had similar success, obtaining 56 tackles, 46 solo tackles, and two interceptions.
Foley was named to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Division 4 All-State Team. In addition, he was selected by the New England Football Journal as a Second Team All-State Wide Receiver/Tight End. Selected by his teammates and coaching staff as a captain for his upcoming senior year, Foley said, “My junior season was a great experience, and I learned a lot from the seniors on the team. I hope we can make it back to Gillette next year and take home the championship.”